Black Friday 2018 Beauty Haul!

I no buy when there's no discount... anyone else? XD

Hope you enjoyed these long chatty hauls....?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!?

Time for me to disappear again... LOL.

Have a great day guys :)

Products mentioned:
1. Rael pantiliners/pads/tampons/period pants
2. Aveda Mineral Loose Powder
3. Aveda Rosemary Mint shampoo
4. Aveda Pure Abundance shampoo
5. SK-II Facial Treatment Mask
6. SK-II Facial Treatment Essence 
7.  Clinique Repairwear Anti Gravity eyecream
8. Neogen Sunscreen
9. Huda Beauty demi-matte cream lipstick in Shero
10. NARS Audacious lipstick in Jane
11. T3 Featherweight Compact folding hair dryer
12. Jo Malone Dark Amber & Ginger Lily perfume
13. Bobbi Brown Luxe Liquid lipstick in Italian Rose, Strike a Rose, Your Majesty
14. Clinique Smart Treatment Oil
15. Clinique Smart Custom Repair Serum
16. Sand & Sky Porefining Face Mask
17. MAC Matte Lipstick in Taupe 
18. MAC Liquidlast liner in Cocoa Bar
19. Pony Effect MEMEBOX Coverstay Cushion Foundation in Nude Beige
20. MEMEBOX PONY Easy Painting Brush Liner in 02. Natural Brown
21. MEMEBOX - PONY Blossom Velvet Lip Tint #04 Petite Bouquet
22. MEMEBOX - PONY EFFECT Prime Protect Sun Base
23. MEMEBOX - PONY EFFECT Smooth Dough Puff 
24. COSRX - Acne Pimple Master Patch
25. Etude House - Lash Perm Curl Fix Mascara
26. COSRX - AHA/BHA Clarifying Treatment Toner
27. Pyunkang Yul Balancing Gel, Moisture Serum, Moisture Ampoule, Moisture Cream, Essence Toner, Oil




<3 Frances

Sephora VIB 15% Off Sale Wishlist ^_^

Hello hello!

Did you all have a good weekend?? I had a super hard week (2 pharmacotherapy cases, 6 self-care/none prescription cases, 1 quiz, and a pharmacotherapy exam, ALL in one week. Yes the school is trying to kill us -_-a) But I survived =D sleeping in feels so good that it should be illegal puahaha!

If you guys don't already know, Sephora is having a 15% off sale from 4/3-4/11/2014. Use the code "VIBTICKET" at checkout =D I'm not sure if it's only for VIB, but even if you're not, you should try it anyway =P

This is just gonna be a quick post-- I wanted to share what's on my 15% off wishlist =D Feel free to share yours with me! I will let you guys know what I ended up getting when I receive all my items =P But you can probably guess most of it lol.

1. Kat Von D Tatto Liner in Trooper


A friend recommended this to me. Honestly I don't really trust any liquid eyeliner other than MAC Liquidlast/Milani Infinite eyeliner. But I've been wanting to try something different... Kind of want an eyeliner with a different finish and a very fine tip.

2. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner


 
Again, recommended by another friend LOL. She told me this eyeliner is super popular in Korea now. I have to admit I'm intrigued. Was debating between this and Kat Von D. I'm very skeptical though.

 3. Sephora Pro Flawless Airbursh #56


Heard about this from TiffanyD. Now I did have a chance to go into the store and physically feel the bristles. I don't know why but I wasn't impressed O_o I feel like my Sigma brushes are way softer. But then again that's a store tester so it probably has suffered a lot lol. I might wait for the VIB sale in November when the sale is bigger. Or I might just not get it at all lol.


4. Caudalie Vinosource Quenching Sorbet-Creme
 
Now I mentioned this in my Feb Hits & Misses.  As much as I love this, I'm gonna wait it out until November or next year. I have tooo many skincare (not to mention a ton of samples =_=), and I have enough light moisturizers that will carry me through the summer.


5. NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder

Been wanting to try this for a longggg time. But I do have my Aveda Mineral Loose Powder that has never failed me yet. So I can't really justify buying a new powder =/

6. NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

I had the chance to swatch this in store and was amazed by the way it sets. It looked really nice! But then again trying a product on the back of your hand is completely different from actually applying it underneath your eyes. The lines underneath my eyes are going out of control, so are my dark circles XD What can I say... I have crazy sleeping schedule these days.


7. Sephora Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation



Also had the chance to swatch this in store and it looks really nice. If I do buy it I won't be using it as a spray... I will just spray it on the back of my hand and apply it to my face with a brush. The reason why I want an aerosol foundation is because in my very limited experience with aerosol foundations, I found the finish to be satin-y and super long lasting. But I have so many base makeup and I am planning on purchasing a summer BB cream so I can't justify buying a new foundation =(


8. Living Proof Prime Style Extender


Following my PR trip I realized I would really a multi-tasking product. Heat protection and hold. This one seems to fit the package.
 

9. Living Proof  Style Lab Flex Shaping Hairspray


... Or I would like a new hairspray to hold my hair style XD   Initially I was looking at some Bumble & bumble products but I decided they're over-hyped from my disappointing experience with the Surf Spray. Was also contemplating some Bedhead products but I remember I chucked my last product from them bcuz it was making my face itchy -_-a


 10. Kat Von D Everlasting Love Liquid Lipstick in Berlin

Can you guys tell I'm really trying to branch out on trying different brands? =P
I wandered to the Kat Von D counter while I was at Sephora just to see what they have because I'm not really familiar with their products. These lip products caught my eye. I've been eyeing the matte gradient lip trend =P And the color was what I was looking for too.


11. Kat Von D Everlasting Love Liquid Lipstick in Backstage Bambi



A different color. Eeeeee. Was in such a dilemma of which one to get >.< By the way these pics actually look quite true to color so you guys can trust the pictures when you're selecting the colors.


12. Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Crayon in Sweety




Actually have been eyeing this for a while. Tried it at the store before and really liked it, but didn't want to pay the full price. Time to pick it up? XD


13. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Diffused Heat

 Lol of course I'm curious about the HG Ambient Lighting blushes! However I'm not in a hurry to pick them up at all. I do remember the Ambient Lighting powders making me oily (as in producing more oil), even on the "normal" part of my face. So I'm kind of on the fence. I will wait till the November sale to pick it up since $35 is a lot for a blush. 



Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Ethereal Glow

I will say between Ethereal Glow and Diffused Heat, this one is more up my alley. Been digging cool, baby pink blushes =P Diffused Heat is a beautiful peachy color, and I'm kind of worried it would make me look sun-burned, haha. Again, will wait till November. I will say though this color is probably the least unique out of all of them, but the other ones don't really appeal to me because they are kind of on the darker/deeper side of the tones. I might want to try Dim Infusion.


I know a lot of products are sold out online, but you guys should take a trip to the mall because the products are most likely still available there. You guys might wonder if I did take a trip to the mall, why didn't I just pick up all my items there? Well it's because I wanted to use Ebates for cashback =P (by the way, this is a referral link), and I had to go to the mall anyway to pick some things up. I would encourage those who shop online often to sign up. The cashback for Sephora is only 2.5% now, but better than nothing right =P (sometimes it can go up to 8%).


Lastly, just wanted to share this song with you all. Haven't shared any music on here in forever O_O

It's such a beautiful song T_T Been blasting it on replay, hehe.

That's all folks! Hope this post was somewhat interesting to read =)

<3 Frances

Sephora VIB Sale Haul

Hi guys!

How's everyone doing??? Excited for the holidays?? Lol I'm kind of ambivalent toward Thanksgiving this year since I don't have family here and I will be using my break to catch up with school work... sigh. Not too much to look forward to. Just really want to get through this semester. Anyway! So today I thought I'd share my Sephora haul with you guys! I thought this was the F&F sale but it's actually the VIB sale... I think the actual F&F sale will come later this month??? Not sure.

I really should go on a beauty ban =_= I've been spending way too much than I like. But I can't seem to control my spending nowadays. Because all I ever do is study study study... and when I get bored of studying, I browse the Internet... and shop orz..... I think I need to whip out my determination I used to lose weight and apply it on online shopping. That doesn't seem like a bad idea XD

Oh by the way you might have noticed I took down my header. I got fed up looking at it. Haha. Will need to make a new one soon. Hopefully something that doesn't involve my face XD But I'm no good at graphics design =T We'll see what I come up with. Or I might just leave it like this lol.

Enough with the rambling, let's get started shall we? =)


Hahaha... quite deviant from the shopping list I made for myself a while back. Bought several other things besides the Josie Maran sunscreen and Benefit body balm that I originally planned to get. I actually did purchase the full size SK-II Facial Treatment Essence but I got mine from eBay, along with some Facial Treatment Cream Foundation samples, but I will talk about these in another post. SK-II is just too overpriced in American stores that's why I decided to turn to eBay, instead of getting it from Sephora or Nordstrom. And I also want to mention another item I really wanted to purchase was the Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes... there was this $35, 4 piece value set that contains two mini blushes, one highlight and one bronzer. But I didn't manage to snag it because it was sold out online (I think it's no longer available cuz I couldn't find it anymore, otherwise I'd post a picture) and although it was available in store I didn't have time to physically go shopping... so... that was that -_-a we'll see if I can still find it in store.

Anyway! Let's go through the items one by one =)

1. Benefit Bathina Body Balm



I gotta say... the packaging is SO much cuter in person. I freaking adore it!! Why is it so cute!?!?! lol

What it looks like on the inside. I haven't tried it yet. But like all other Benefit products (or maybe not all?), it has this pleasant, rosy (?) scent to it. Will do a review once I've used it. Which... might take me a while cuz there's no point using this in the winter XD

2. Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer (sunscreen)

This came in just in time since I ran out of mine XD I have a rather lengthy review on some Josie Maran products including this sunscreen. Please refer here if you're interested.


My small bottle in comparison. I actually ended up purchasing the full size bottle because when I actually think about it... the small bottle didn't last me all that long at all. And since we have a few more months to go before summer is here again... I thought I might as well go with the big bottle just to make sure I don't run out.

By the way did you guys notice the new labeling regarding SPF? I noticed almost all of the newer beauty products I own all have appropriate SPF labeling now. I believe FDA's new law requires all sunscreen products (and "sunblock" is no longer a term allowed) to be broad spectrum and contain at least a minimum of SPF 15.

3. NARS lipstick in Honolulu Honey

Another lipstick I purchased because of Jenn from ClothesEncounter >口< But!! I've already decided to return this lipstick



Thought I'd show the excessive packaging of the lipstick... there's a little box within the box to hold the lipstick. Honestly... I thought... what a waste of paper -.-"


It's a gorgeous nude color, but too close to MAC freckletone lol which I did end up keeping. I mean yes they're slightly different, but seriously close enough that I'm sure no one would be able to tell the difference. Plus MAC is significantly cheaper and I really don't think this particular NARS formula is any more superior. Will return this as soon as I have time to make a trip to the mall.

4. Fresh Umbrian Clay Purifying Treatment Bar

A rather impulsive purchase. Saw this in Raeview's acne-fighting video. By the way have you guys seen her new video on Tom Ford's fall 2012 collection video???? That review seriously got me really interested in Tom Ford eye shadows O_O but of course I'm not about to spend $75 on an eye shadow quad, at least not in another 3-5 years XD Funny thing is if you really think about it, each eye shadow in that TM quad is about $18.75... and a single MAC eye shadow is $15. MAC is getting so expensive nowadays... =_=


So far... not that impressed. But then again my expectations aren't super high, since I know my pores are smaller and therefore my blackheads are hard to get -_- I can't really say if this treatment bar works any better than my Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask. But I will say this is very abrasive and I cannot just rub this against my face. I have to get the products on my fingers first then transfer it to my face. Also I cannot use this on my entire face. The first time I used it I applied it all over my face and my skin freaked out badly. I think it's because it's too drying. So now I only use it on my nose where I have a ton of blackheads, and on the center on my chin where I have a little bit of whiteheads. Still debating if I should continue to try this or return it.

5. bareMinerals Renew & Hydrate Eye Cream

I am currently using the Lancome Genifique Eye concentrate sample (which I received with my $35 or more purchase) and jeune d'age eye creme (simply just trying to use it up.... nothing exciting there). I also have Origins GinZing eye cream but I only use that in the morning to depuff my eyes. I'm already more than half way through the Lancome one (again, didn't really do anything for my undereye fine lines or dark circles... sleep really is the key to dark circles. As for fine lines... have them since a kid... it's genetic) so I thought why not take advantage of the sale and stock up on a few eye creams. I kind of just randomly picked this up, since I like the brand.



6. L'OCCITANE Ultra Rich Eye Balm

Another eye cream. Will be using this one after I'm through with my Lancome one. Honestly I'm not sure why I bought this... cuz I'm not even a fan of L'OCCITANE (don't care for their hand creams). I guess I'm just trying to branch out and try more products XD

The container is pretty nice though. I really want to try the Bobbi Brown eye cream but the price of that is just out of my league.



And... I actually made a second purchase during the sale -__- IT WAS COMPLETELY IMPULSIVE.

Quite honestly I still can't really believe I bought it. In fact, it sat on the top shelf of my desk for 4 days before I finally steeled myself to open it -_-a I couldn't decide if I wanted to keep it or return it. Quite frankly I think my skin is fine the way it is... I just really hate my blackheads. I've always wanted to try Clarisonic but the price tag is too hefty (would NEVER purchase this with full price). But anyway I finally decided to open it last night and charge it. Just gonna see if it helps with my blackheads at all. If not then I will promptly return it (not having high hopes because I feel like blackheads is an age thing as well... I will just have to wait until I'm older when my skin decides it wants to be drier or what XD)

***Update: I've returned my Clarisonic. I decided it was too abrasive for me (for everyday use at least). I know they have "delicate" brush heads available but I didn't want to dish out extra dollars for that. I'm not saying it doesn't work well though; in fact, I was actually quite blown away by the results. I noticed after I used it my pores were gone O_O how did that happen?!?!??! lol. I already don't have big pores to begin with but... for them to disappear after cleansing... MIND-BLOWING. But it was only temporary a few hours later I saw my pores again ahaha. With regards to blackheads... I only used it for a few days but I know it's not gonna eliminate them. It did help just a bit... my blackheads seem a bit smaller and in control, but nothing spectacular there. I guess I could've waited and tried it out for longer, but looking at my calendar I know I won't be able to make another trip to the mall until late December, and I don't want to not be able to return it if I decided it wasn't worth it. But anyway regardless if it works on my blackheads or not, I know this is not a device I can use everyday... the brush head really isn't that soft and it's just too much exfoliating for my very thin and sensitive skin. I can't even use a sponge to wash my face everyday. So in the end I didn't think it's a worthy investment since I wouldn't be able to get as much mileage out of it as I would've hoped. 

Oh also, I don't feel any difference using Visionaire. Orz... so disappointed. Not sure what I was expecting but I heard so many good things/raves... so that's that. 


Clarisonic Aria comes with a stand/holder, which I think is super nice. Plus I really wanted to try Visionaire XD The samples are tiny though.


90 day money back?! I wonder if Sephora will accept it after 90 days. I probably should double check with them.



That's all I have to share today! I know that's a lot of stuff... you would think school should help with my reasoning skills but I think it's doing the opposite to me.

Have a great weekend guys!


<3 Frances